William H. Seward to Right Hon. Lord Lyons, January 16, 1864

Mr. Seward to Lord Lyons.

My Lord: This department has been informed by Mr. Leas, the commercial agent of the United States at Belize, British Honduras, that recently the United States schooner J. L. Gerrity, while on a voyage from Matamoras to Havana, with a cargo of cotton and with six passengers, was taken possession of by the latter, her master and crew being placed in the boat from which it is supposed they subsequently landed on the coast of Mexico. The flag of the insurgents having then been hoisted on the vessel, and her name changed, she went to Belize and disposed of her cargo. The leaders in this act of piracy were J. F. Brown and Thomas Hogg. The names of the four others are not known.

Mr. Leas endeavored to have them arrested, in order that they might be delivered up for trial in this country, pursuant to the tenth article of the treaty of Washington; but although the authorities at Belize were prompt and courteous upon the occasion, the pirates, according to our last intelligence, had probably escaped beyond the jurisdiction of those authorities. If, however, they should hereafter be found there, or in any other part of her Majesty’s dominion, their delivery as aforesaid will be expected, in conformity with the very proper disposition manifested by the authorities at Belize. The vessel remains at Belize. Her restitution will also be expected.

I have the honor to be, with high consideration, my lord, your obedient servant,